*** The Merc and CCT blogs were having problems this morning, so if any comments did not post, please try again. We’ve experienced tons of trouble lately with our servers … or maybe it’s the platforms … or the network connections … or the who-knows-what. I appreciate your patience and understanding. Thanks.

Heard there’s a meeting this week in Arizona, something about the future of USC football.

Imagine how much 30-second commercial spots would cost if the hearings were televised on, say, FSN-West.

Maybe they could get Trojan honk Will Ferrell to belt out some Blue Oyster Cult during a break in the festivities.

Action: USC to face the NCAA’s committee on infractions beginning Thursday in Tempe.

Got back from Arizona late Sunday (travel delays) and finally watched the Cal game in its entirety last night … or the entirety that was on ABC starting at 12:55ish, after the endless Texas-Oklahoma game ended and with Cal up 14-0.

So the Bears did what they couldn’t do two years ago and what they had to do here and now: They regrouped, they stabilized, they won a road game where they’d never won before (under Tedford) and they made sure that all things are possible this season.

Well, almost all things. The Rose Bowl is probably out of reach — I say probably because I remain convinced that we’ll see more unexpected results in the conference.

There are losses coming for USC and Oregon, over and above the guaranteed L for one of the two on Oct. 31 in Eugene.

Tough to find fault with a two-game tally of 111-20, even though both wins came against FCS opponents. (Maryland’s FBS? Could have fooled me with the Terps’ OT victory over James Madison.)

Kevin Riley’s confidence is high, Jahvid Best’s legs are fresh, the lines are healthy — it’s all good for the Bears at this point.

Even Eastern Washington’s first-quarter touchdown drive was a positive for Cal.

It gave Jeff Tedford and Bob Gregory something to lean on the defense about without putting Cal in jeopardy of losing the game. (Coaches always want something to harp on, if for no other reason than to keep the players’ attention after an easy win.)

The Spartans are nine days away from kickoff at USC, which means they’re eight days away from boarding a bus to Los Angeles.

Cal will do the same when it visits UCLA in mid-October.

The official Hotline position is that taking a bus, as opposed to flying, is not a big deal — shouldn’t have any impact on preparation or performance and if that’s used as an excuse for a loss, shame on the Spartans and/or Bears.

I checked with Jeff Tedford and Dick Tomey about their typical travel itinerary. Both said that when you consider airport time (i.e., transport to and from, security and luggage), flying is only 45-60 minutes quicker than taking a bus.

Not a big deal — it’s like the difference between flying to L.A. and flying to Tucson.